As. Cd. Pb and Hg in commercially-available canned sardines

3^rd Euro Nursing & Medicare Summit

July 27-29, 2015 Valencia, Spain

John G Shiber

Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS), USA

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Seventeen canned sardine samples, originating from six countries and sold commercially in eastern Kentucky-USA were analyzed for trace elements. Total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and mercury (Hg) by thermal decomposition amalgamation and AAS, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Reported in �¼g/g (wet) the metal levels found were: As 0.49-1.87 (mean: 1.06), Cd <0.01-0.07 (mean: 0.03), Pb<0.06 to 0.27 (mean: 0.11) and Hg was either less than the lower reporting level of 0.09�¼g/g or not detected. Hg and Pb concentrations are well below Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines for fish in general, but no guidelines exist for these elements in canned fish specifically and there are none at all for Cd or As in any kind of fish. Health risks associated with chronic, long-term ingestion of As at low concentrations in drinking water has been linked to certain cancers, cardiovascular and other health problems that are prevalent in this Central Appalachian region of the USA. The role of As in human disease via food, however, has only recently been scrutinized, and maximum allowable limits for this element in fish is now being reviewed. Since small pelagics may soon become commercially important seafood of choice in the face of diminishing populations of large species, further, more extensive studies of this nature are recommended.

Biography :

John G Shiber is Professor of Biology in the Division of Nursing, Biology & Allied Health in the KCTCS. He has done advanced study in marine environmental science at University of Houston and holds a PhD in Biology from Purdue University. Much of his technical research has been devoted to heavy metals in coastal biota, sediment, drinking water, and food, with more than 45 scientific publications to his credit. He is also well-published in areas of education, environment, and health.

Email: jshiber@peoplepc.com